Telluride to Durango Self-Guided

TOUR DESCRIPTION

The San Juan Mountains in SW Colorado are some of the most beautiful and rugged peaks anywhere, and for mountain bikers, Durango and Telluride represent the two most amazing base camps for great Colorado mountain biking. Starting on the aspen-lined trails of Telluride under the shadow of surrounding peaks riders make their way to the Colorado Trail and then down to the infamous Hermosa Creek Trail to finish near Durango. This trip is a few notches easier than our Colorado Trail tour, yet shares the incredible Blackhawk Pass section of the Colorado Trail.

This self-guided mountain bike tour is challenging, classic Colorado mountain biking. As you cross the San Juan Mountains you’ll face plenty of climbs and many times face a variety of weather changes. That said, everyone who finishes our Telluride to Durango mountain bike tour walks away with a sense of accomplishment that can be hard to find in this modern world!

We created this Telluride to Durango mountain bike tour for those who don’t want a guide, don’t want to be supported during the week and generally just want their own self-serve,Colorado mountain biking adventure with a bit of logistical assistance. Each day we relocate a very deluxe camp setup (provided by Ready Camp) of (2) 10×10 canopies, full kitchen, dry firewood, camp chairs, fresh water, coolers of food and beverages (you purchase prior to trip) and all your personal gear like tents, bags and clothing. You can go as cheap or deluxe as you want on food, beverages and amenities!!

Our first day we’ll meet at 7:00am and then start with a shuttle from Durango to Telluride of about 2.5 hours. Riders will start at the Deep Creek trailhead and head toward Telluride along the beautiful, aspen-lined track. Many in Telluride name this trail as their favorite in the area.

Day 2:

The second day of your journey marks the transition from the Telluride side of the things to the prominent ridgeline that starts the ride toward Durango from Bolam Pass. From your camp in the morning you’ll traverse around Trout Lake and up and over Lizard Head Pass. From the pass riders begin the climb up East Fork Trail as it meanders along the headwaters of the Dolores River.

Day 3:

Today’s segment might be called the “Queen’s Stage” as riders join the Colorado Trail, summit Blackhawk Pass and then finish on a local’s-favorite trail down into the Hermosa Creek drainage. After a climb away from Celebration Lake you’ll find rolling singletrack that hugs the perimeter of Hermosa Peak’s rocky talus fields…

Day 4:

Day four sends riders onto one of Durango’s classic trails: the Hermosa Creek Trail. The Hermosa Creek Trail begins as doubletrack trail right alongside Hermosa Creek itself. As it progresses, the walls on either side get higher and higher and soon you’ll find yourself in a beautiful creek gorge on a gradual downhill track.